About

Play Atari PONG in your Coffee Table

$335,422

pledged of $250,000 goal

322

backers

When everything seems to flow into the digital world aimed for individual playing, this project appears as a rebellious retro futuristic version of the Atari PONG game, which brings the backwards process, from digital to physical, to the table.

Originally developed as a tribute to one of the most iconic games ever, the plan of Table Pong Project was to bring back the same experiences you used to get when playing the digital version. Loaded with retro sounds, bouncing lights and maintaining the same mechanics to stay true to the original gameplay.

Also, reuniting family, friends and stimulating social interaction opportunities, as the old Atari console did.

Thanks to electronics, electric motors and magnetic fields, we managed to create a playable coffee-pong table that comes not only with the game but also a classic digital clock displayed on its top, usb ports mounted on the rack and the possibility of streaming music via Bluetooth. Atari PONG licensed us so we are bringing it back, in an original, stylish and super fun way!

Who didn't played at least once with magnets moving around some metallic element above a table moving a magnet beneath and feel something almost magical with it?

This magic physical force was the spark behind this project and the main component making possible the 2D movement illussion of the game.

We showed our progress, you showed some love!

As the project kept on growing, we decided to show the world how everything was going through a work in progress video.

We got such a good feedback and so much love that we decided to take it one step further and make it real for you.

"Heads up, Atari nerds: A group of Pong fans in Uruguay have created a real-life version of the classic video game." - PCMag

"Real-Life Pong Is the Best Possible Game To Have In Your Rec Room" - PopularMechanics

"Old-School Pong Looks Even Better On A Real-World Table Than On A Screen" - TechTimes

As a tribute to the X generation, minimalistic with an elegant and dazzling vibe, it's a mixture of the new with our beloved arcade machines from the 80's.

A lot of testosterone was involved in the attention for details to achieve that look and feel, neon and flash lights, the sounds (pew pew pew!), that dichotomy of untouchable but reachable and yet touchable but unreachable as a pinball machine. A multifunction table. Play, drop magazines, charge a cell phone and show actual time (as a VCR).

Atari Pong Game

You can play PONG, with the same look and feel concept of paddles and arcade like buttons. We took the chance and added some extra game modes, in which the gameplay gets slightly modified to improve the experience even more.

These include the chance of hitting curves when the buttons are pressed with good timing, and mods that affect the other players pad movement (such as Freeze, Drunk and Reverse).

Coffee Table

Turn it off or set it on stand by mode, close the custom design lids and you have a regular, neat and retro looking coffee table.

LEDs and Clock Display

It is and it has always been all about the lights! The system has LED lights that provide functionality to the game but also give the possibility to gently light the room when not used, and it has a built in digital clock to always have a time reference.

Bluetooth Music Streaming

Given the fact that playing any game is always much more fun when listening to your favourite tunes, we decided to add speakers that work both for blastnig those retro sound effects, and also enables you to play music. It’s a win-win!

USB Charging

Four usb ports give you the possibility to use the table as a charging station for everyone around.

COIN-OP? No problem!

This product was not initially intended for coin-op, but since so many of you guys were requesting this feature we decided to add it as an optional feature. So regoice! you can choose your coin-op ready when you pledge. Start saving those coins!

BE OUR HERO!

We will open a HALL OF HEROES on our official Web Page with every backer enlisted by alphabetical order with his photo/avatar as an historic tribute of all of you who are so great helping us reach this dream!

This is just a starting point, once we get to complete this project we want to keep on developing top notch entertainment devices, with the spirit of bringing you with fun and original concepts avoiding the zombie state of digital devices,

We have many more ideas about great products that mix art, entertainment and technology. We are highly committed to deliver a quality product as we had put our hearts and soul into the project. Our main aim is to keep you guys strongly satisfied with this.

Where we stand, and who we stand with

Now we have the product that we want you to back, along with a consolidated multi-disciplinary group that is ready to fulfill our dream of seeing you enjoy our product.

From scratch

The project started as a hobby carried out by two guys that had no previous knowledge on anything related to electronics or mechanics.

Eventually, it grew into a multidisciplinary group of passionate people working together for a common cause.

The original big boss

At the beginning, the original concept was an arcade sized Pong Table, about 8 ft long and intended to be used only in arcades, bars, playrooms and office social rooms. While this was having us five hanging each other, in the long run we realized that we wanted to make it available for everyone, so a more portable, smaller and functional version would suit better.
We haven’t forgotten about the first prototype, and it is in our interest to get back at it someday.

We believe the Kickstarter community will play an integral role in the development of Table Pong Project. Through Kickstarter we’re not just pre-selling our tables to early adopters, but rather forging relationships with a passionate community of innovative individuals.

We’ve worked non-stop for three years to bring this project to this point, now you are the final missing piece for the puzzle. Help us by backing this campaign and please share it to your friends and family, and let’s take Table Pong Project to next level together!

Risks and challenges

We are not reinventing the wheel, most components of the table are standard and fully proven parts (motors, magnets, optical sensors, rails) giving us the guarantees of a safe and functional product, however there are some risks and challenges that we would like to point out in order to keep this relationship between our team and you crystal clear.

Manufacturing affairs

The dimensions of this project and amount of components implied on the building process make the network of suppliers and manufactures very big and complex. With every new supplier we deal with, we increase the chance of delays and events. We assure a constant supervision of the process by every member of the group in its expertise area, but we must be realistic about the fact that a single component soldered backwards, a couple of inches in a piece or some dirt in the painting can cause a delay. In order to avoid this we assure to be working with at least three back up suppliers for each area. Bear in mind that quality testing its number one priority.

Features

We assure we will deliver every feature that we promise, although some minor changes might be applied as the final product is conceived.

Small team

We are, in fact, a small team. And every member of the team is specialized in one of the areas involved. Since we are all human (not according to Elon, we could be a simulation) , there is a small although very unlikely chance that some problems such as illness may happen and we get a little delayed.